Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.22
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) CJSC is receiving proposals to expand the scope of its operations to more regions, ASCO told Trend.
“We receive proposals to transport cargoes in other areas, the major maritime regions such as Western Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, and Asia,” said the company.
However, ASCO said that economic, technical and other similar maritime issues should be taken into account when determining the area of navigation. “Therefore, the company assesses these offers based on special selectivity principles.”
“Expansion of operations, as well as the implementation of cargo transportation in different regions is one of the issues of our interest. In accordance with the recommendations and instructions given by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on reducing the dependence of ASCO on one market and diversifying its activities, ships belonging to ASCO have been involved in cargo transportation beyond the Caspian Sea since 2014,” said the company.
ASCO said that currently, its vessels actively transport both dry cargo and liquid cargo in Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea, Marmara and Aegean seas.
“There are 14 ships sailing under the flag of Azerbaijan in foreign waters. Twelve of these ships belonging to ASCO are dry cargo vessels and two tankers.”
Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Closed Joint-Stock Company was established by merging country’s two largest fleets – the Azerbaijan State Caspian Sea Shipping Company and the Caspian Sea Oil Fleet of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic.
ASCO is comprised of the offshore support and merchant fleets and two shipyards.
The merchant fleet consists of 51 vessels: 20 tankers, 13 ferries, 15 universal dry-cargo, 2 Ro-Ro ships as well as 1 auxiliary vessel and 1 floating workshop. The offshore support fleet is comprised of 210 vessels: 20 crane vessels, 25 supply and tug vessels, 26 passenger ships, 2 pipelay barges, 6 firefighting vessels, 7 geological survey vessels, 2 diving support vessels, and 88 other support vessels.
It plays connecting role in the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), provides marine transportation of goods and passengers along with Trans-Caspian Sea as well as provides offshore support services for oil and gas operations.
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